To What Extent Was Nationalism a Cause of the First World War - Term Paper Example

The outcomes of the crises will be examined in the context of the changing patterns of major-power alliances, the distribution as well as the shift in major-power capabilities. It will be seen that a transformation in the major-power subsystems between 1905- 1910 significantly altered the European balance of power so as to favor the Triple Entente. In the Sarajevo Crisis, decision-makers reflected on both sides of the transformation. The outcome of the war will also be looked into, and it is worth noting that all the effects are negative, the reason why memories of the war are dreaded up to date1.

As will be discussed, this war could have been avoided. Were it not for the reasons discussed in this paper, the history of war could not be written. A summary of these findings is well discussed in the paper.The time period of 1914-1918 will remain in the history books because of the episodes that happened during the First World War. The emergence of the First World War was characterized by connotations of suffering, waste and tragedy.2 These themes, by the virtue of their metaphysical nature, were both universal and timeless.

The end of the cold war gave relevance to the political events of the years 1914-1918. The First World War broke the Austro-Hungarian Empire, thus unleashing the nationalisms of south-eastern Europe, which created volatility in the inter-war period of chronic and instability at the century’s end, many lives were lost as a result,3 not to mention the ones crippled and others who were totally incapacitated by the happenings of the war. The question that will come in the minds of many is why did this war occur?

Could it have been avoided? Was it necessary to go into the fight? Who were the perpetrators of the war and what was their ultimate goal? The questions can only be answered by getting an insight into the war. There are several factors that could have resulted in the emergence of war4. The war had all negative effects, memories which are dreaded up to date. The war resulted in the breaking down of huge industries impacting badly on the global economy. Poverty and oppression were the effects accompanying the war and were heavily felt by the civilians especially in the affected countries.

Racial and cultural rivalries emerged, results which were not easy to contend with.